Calvin - Distinguished by Knowledge
The truth is the scriptures are clear that it is Belief\Faith that separates believers from unbelievers as we find in Hebrews 11 for By faith Abel, By faith Enoch, By faith Noah, By faith Abraham, By faith even Sarah, By faith Isaac, By faith Jacob, By faith Joseph, By faith Moses, By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, By faith Rahab
Let’s take a look at what John Calvin taught on Knowledge and the order and manner for which he believed man recieved it. You can see clearly that it was this "Knowledge" that he believed seperated the patriarchs from unbelievers
John Calvin [a.d. 1509-1564]
BOOK FIRST - CHAPTER 1 – SECTION 1http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.iii.vii.html
“The course which God followed towards his Church from the very first, was to supplement these common proofs by the addition of his Word, as a surer and more direct means of discovering himself. And there can be no doubt that it was by this help, Adam, Noah, Abraham, and the other patriarchs, attained to that familiar knowledge which, in a manner, distinguished them from unbelievers. I am not now speaking of the peculiar doctrines of faith by which they were elevated to the hope of eternal blessedness. It was necessary, in passing from death unto life, that they should know God, not only as a Creator, but as a Redeemer also; and both kinds of knowledge they certainly did obtain from the Word. In point of order, however, the knowledge first given was that which made them acquainted with the God by whom the world was made and is governed. To this first knowledge was afterwards added the more intimate knowledge which alone quickens dead souls, and by which God is known not only as the Creator of the worlds and the sole author and disposer of all events, but also as a Redeemer, in the person of the Mediator.”
Note carefully that Calvin makes it very clear that “In point of order, however, the KNOWLEDGE first given”. This is the Gnostic way of salvation and totally contradictory to that of the scriptures. For though the scriptures teach us about true knowledge of God, the scriptures never teach that knowledge must first be be given to a man..
He also makes it very clear that he was "not speaking of the peculiar doctrines of faith by which they were elevated to the hope of eternal blessedness",
In Hebrew 11 the scriptures tell is that it was by Faith 19 times, and nowhere in the scriptures do we find that it was by Knowledge.
Hebrews 11 continues with
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.